Switch handle



G. B. THOMAS swI Tou HANDLE I Filed April' 8, 1922 imlll' INVENTOR GEORGE E. THor l as A TTOR NE Y5 Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

tlbtlTED STATES PATENT CFFECE.

GEORGE B. THCMAS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNCR TO THE BRYANT ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

SWITCH HANDLE.

Application filed April 8,

My invention relates to switch handles, and particularly to handles for rotary snap switches. The object of my invention is to provide such a connection between the handle and the switch spindle that while the operative engagement between these members 18 maintained, axial adjustment of the handle on the spindle is possible.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rotary snap switch to which a handle embodying the present invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a broken side elevation of the same; 7

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the handle element drawn to a larger scale and showing it in outwardly adjusted position on the spindle;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan of the switch handle detached;

Fig. 5 is a broken vertical section through portion of a handle 'of modified construction; and

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional perspectlve of a modified detail.

The present handle may be applied to rotary switches of various types, the particular nature of the switch mechanism, or of the switch installation as a whole, forming no part of my invention. As here indicated, the switch is of the surface type, and comprises an insulating base 6, upon which the switch mechanism is mounted and encased within a switch cover 7 of the usual type. Rising through the top of the latter is the switch spindle 8, which termlnates in a threaded stud 9. The switch handle comprises a hub member 10 of insulating material, with lateral pointer 11 overlymg the upper face 12 of the switch cover, and

registering with the legends 13 which indicate the position of the switch mechanism.

The connection between the handle and the spindle is two-fold,first, an operating connection for rotating the switch. spindle, and thus to actuate the switch mechanism, and second, a detaining connection for holding the handle on the spindle.

The operating connection between the handle'and the spindle is attained by a laterally projecting pin 14:, rigid with the switch spindle 8 and engaged in the slot 15 in the hub of theswitch handle. The slot 15 opens to the well 16 in the hub which accommo- 1922. Serial No. 550,816.

dates the spindle 8. The well 16 and slot 15 are of such depth that a considerable latitude of axial adjustment of the handle on the spindle is possible while the operating engagement between the parts is maintained.

The detaining engagement between the handle and the spindle is effected by a ferrule 17 tapped to receive the threaded stud 9 of the switch spindle and swivelling with respect to the switch handle. A convenient mounting of the ferrule in the switch handle, when the latter is of porcelain, is indicated in Fig. 3. The hub of the handle is pierced in register with the well 16 and shouldered at 18 and 19. Theinner end of the ferrule is spun over the shoulder 18, while the head 20 of the ferrule overlies the shoulder 19, from which it is spacedby a take-up spring 21. A cross slot 22 in the head of the ferrule receives a screw driver for rotating it.

To attach the handle it is merely necessary to position the same with its slot 15 in register with the pin 14 of the spindle, and screw down theferrule 17 on the stud 9 until the desired spacing of the inner face of the hub of the handle from the face 12 of the switch cover 7 has been reached.

A connection of this general type between the switch handle and spindle is especially desirable in electrical range installationsin which the switch handles overlie castings which are often uneven or rough. Where a gang of switches is mounted beneath such a face plate, it not infrequently happens that although the switches may be mounted on a perfectly flat supporting bridge, the projection of the spindles through the face plate is unequal, owing to lack of planity of the latter. A different positioning of the several switch handles on their spindles is therefore necessary in order to obtain a proper clearance between the handles and the face plate. The present device permits such adjustment to be readily and accurately made, without disturbing the pin and slot operating connection between each handle and its spindle.

Where the handle is used on a surface switch of the type illustrated, a cover-depressing spring washer or the like (not shown) would ordinarily be interposed between the handle and the surface of the cover to maintain the latter firmly on the base 6. It is obvious that the spring 21 have also indicated a further modification in which the ferrule is solid, andis provided with athreadedstud 24-,which takes into a tapped socket 25 in the upper end oi the spindle 26. The connection between the spindle rand the handle is in other respects substantially identical with that above described. I I i j I While I have showna pin and slot operating connection between the handle and spindle, this connection may be established in other manners. Oneobvious variation is fiat sheared from the upper end of the spindle 8 or 26, the well 1 6 being correspond ingly shaped, or a plural-sided spindle end and well. I H I j l Vhile the friction between the bushing and handle under the pressure of the spring 21 ordinarily suffices to prevent the bushing from unscrewing from the spindle stud 9, a positive lock may be readily aiiorded by imparting a plural faced exterior to the expanded: end 27 thereof, and similarly shaping its seat 28 at the bottom oi" {the well-15 in the button. Itis necessary to displace the handle "only slightly with respect to the bushing and against the action of the spring 21, to unseat the bushing end so that it inay be freelyrotated, Upon release of the chandie, the spring again forces it downandreestablishes the engagement between the'pafrts 27 and 28.

Various ether modification in detail, shape and construction of the parts will readily occur to those dealing with the-prob lem, without departing from what I claim as my invention.

I elaim I j I 1. In an electric switch, arrotary switch spindle, an operating handlethere tor, means for establishing a rotatively rigid operating connection betweentheispindle and handle, and means constantly restrained against displacement with respect to the handle for axially adjusting the handle on'the spindle while maintaining, undisturbed the operating connection between the parts. I I

2. In an electr c sw tch, a rotary. switch spindle, an operating handle therefor having axially adjustable screw connection therew th, said connection comprising a screw member carried by the handle and constantly restrained against axial displacement with respect'thereto, and a rotatlvely rigid independent operating; connection between the handle and spindle maintained in all positions of axial adjustment.

3. In an electric switch, a rotary switch element, a rotatively rigid operating handle engaging the same for simultaneous rotation, and means constantly restrained against displacement with respect to the handle for axially adjusting the handle on the spindle during the maintenance of said operating engagement. v j c j 4. handle for rotary snap switches comprising a member in swivelling engagement with the handle torseciiringthe latter with anial adjustability to arota-ry switch spindle and means for normally holding said swivelling member against rotation with respect to the handle.

5. handle for rotarysnap switches comprising a member in swivelling engagement with the handle for securing thelatter with axial adjustability to a rotary'sw'itchspindle, together with means for insuring operativeengagement between the handle and a switch operating member eii ective in all postronger alXia'l adjustment between the spindle and handle and means for normally holding said s'wive'lling member against rotation with respect to the handle.

6, A handle for rotary snap switches, said handle being recessed'to establish a rotatively rigid v engagement with a driving element of the switch, in combination with "means swivelling with respect tothe handle, for securing the handleto a switch spindle.

7. A handle for a rotary snap switch, said handle being recessed to afford a pin and slot engagementwith the switch spindle to hold the same against relative rotation, in

"combination witha ferrule s'wivelling in the .handleand havinga screw engagement with the spindle for securing; the handle thereto in axially adjustable position.

, 8, A handle for a rotary snap switch, said 'handlefbeing recessed to aiiord a pin and slot engagement withthe s'witch'spindle to hold the same against relative rotation, in

combination with a ferrule swivelling in the handle and liaving a screw engagement with the spindle for securing the handle thereto inaxially adjustable position, together with a spring lbet'ween'the ferrule and handle for holding the latter in snug engagement.

9 A handle 'for'rotary snap switches, said handle being recessed to receive and engage an operatingielement for the switch, in combination with means swivelling with respect to'the handle, for securingthe handle to a 's'witch: spindle, and means for 'norn'iall'yhi lding fsaid,fsw'ivelli11,9; means against relative rotation withrespectjtothe handle. I j I l0. A handle for rotary snap switches,

ctm'prisin a bodvadapted to engage an operating element of the switch, a bushing plaeeableagainst the action of said spring rotatable With respect to the handle for seto free the parts for relative rotary movecuring it to a switch spindle, means for esment. m tablishing a non-rotative engagement be- In testimony whereof I have signed my 5 tween the handle and said bushing, and a name to this specification.

spring for maintaining said parts in non rotative relation, said bushing being dis- GEORGE B. THOMAS. 

